Black Lives Matter Movement.
Question 1.
Black lives matter is a social organization formed in response to the increased killing of African Americans in 2013. The founder members were, Patrisse Cullors, Opal Tometi, and Alicia Garza. This was in response to the brutal murder of George Zimmerman. It advocates for non-violent protests to police brutality and all other forms of racial discrimination. It is decentralized with about 40 chapters in Canada and the USA. It has been a political and ideological intervention across the world where black people’s lives are intentionally and systematically targeted for killing.
This movement has intervened on several occasions where blacks have been killed brutally by police. In 2014, two African Americans were assaulted and killed by the police; Michael Brown and Eric Garner. BLM led street demonstrations in the cities of Missouri and Ferguson. The organization was recognized nationally after this protest. Since then, members have demonstrated on numerous occasions against the killing of African America. In 2020, the movement came back in headlines following a series of demonstrations against the Minneapolis officer’s killing of George Floyd. In 2015, activists of BLM were involved in USA general elections. It has no centralized organs, but there are functional structures.
The Black Lives Matter movement’s choice has been triggered by the increased cases of police brutality and killings of black people. The rampant discrimination of blacks in the USA and other parts of the world is a deterrent to the democracy of the black people. The movement is essential to me and all African Americans as it creates a forum for black people to express their grievances. This organization has promoted respect, liberation, and, generally, the identity of blacks.
Question 2.
BLM has a functional structure with distinct functions. The guiding principles. Thirteen principals govern those who want to be involved in the movement. For example, Globalism, Diversity, Justice, and Empathy. The policy demand. This draws the polices of BLM. For instance, in 2020, the structure passed a policy of defunding the police, ending sex work discrimination, and halting the production of new jails. Other functional structural are strategic and tactic as well as direct action.
There has been a conflict between religious leaders and the BLM members. Both compete for municipal political influence. The two groups have common goals but differ in tactics they should use to pass their grievance. The movement lack enough fund to facilitate their activities which slows down their functioning. Sometimes, the government uses harsh methods in silencing demonstrators, which leaves the majority with injuries or death.
In symbolic interaction, many people have supported the movement by participating in street demonstrations. For example, the protests against George Floyd has between 15-23 Million participants. Some sociologists have come up with initiatives to aid the movement. For instance, Rashawn Ray came up with a policing project to examine the effects of policing on the race, public, and media. In reciprocal, the movement has been funding policing activities until 2020, where they withdrew their support.